Sash balance



sept'. 1s, 1945.

WI: I

A. VIEHYVEGER sAsH BALANCE Filed Aug. 3, 1944 fww# l Patented Sept. 18,1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SASH. BALANCE v August Viehweger, GrandRapids, Mich., assignor to Grand Rapids Hardware Company, Grand Rapids,Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application August 3, 1944,. Serial-No.547,822

11 Claims.

.This invention relates to improvements in sash balances,

y The main objects of this invention are:

Eirst, to provide a spring sash balance which is very compact whencompletely collapsed and at the same time is adapted for use on windowsof different verticaldimensions.

`Second, to provide a sash balance which may be easily installed whenthe spring is adjusted. to the desired tension or the particular loadincident to the particular installation.

Third, to provide a sash balance having these advantages which iseconomical in itsparts and inthe assembly thereof. l

Fourth, to provide a sash balance which operates freely even thoughgreat care is not exercised in, the installation thereof, therebypermitting installationv by relatively unskilled workmenY Objectsrelating to details and econom-iesof: the invention Willappear from thedescription to iollow. The invention is defined and pointedgout; ini

the claims. t

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in. theaccompanying drawing. in. Whchr- Fig. 1 is a. fragmentary view partiallyin vertical. section of a window and window framey or casing with abalance embodying my iriventongin; operative relation thereto, thebalance beingl shown in fully extended position as resultsfwhen. f

that of Fig. 1 with the window in fully open'po.

sition. 1

Fig.. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view partially invertical section on`a line corresponding. toline 3 -F3of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged horizontal section on line 4-4 of Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view partially in vertical' section online 5-5 off Fig.. 1.-.

Fig'isa fragmentary view of a modified*formV or embodiment of myinvention, the modioation being inthe mounting bracket.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged fragmentary View partially inlongitudinal'section of a modied. form or em bodiment of my invention,

In the accompanying drawing, t represents a window frame or casing and 2a window sash having a groove 3 in the edge thereof. the groove being ofsuch dimensions as to receive the sash balance.

The embodiment of my invention illustrated comprises a pairoftelescopingly associated outer andl inner tubularelements 4 and 5respectively.

' The sleeve-like torsion memberl I2' is provided with an attaching arm13.] This constitutes an attachingI bracket, the sleeve slidablyembracing the outerelementlr. This torsion memberis pro vided with an`inwardly projecting lug-likemem-- ber L4' which engages the:v groove 6in the outer tubular element 4, this groove-engaging member I4 beingwithinthe recessB and engaging the stop 9 when the balance is fullyextended as shown in Figl 1;

At; itsV innerY end, the outer element 4- is provided n Withfalug-likegroove-engaging member I5' which engages the groove. in theinner element 5 and when the balanceis fully extended, lies within the'recess llllandcoacts with the stop l-| tollimit the extension of thetubular elements.

The coiledwbalancingV spring I6 isv arrangeo` within the inner tubularelement, theinner end ofthe spring beingengaged withY the clutch pinIl'extending inwardly from the support I8' which iS; secured.V withinthe inner-end of. the inner element 5 by striking a portion l Qthereofinto a re cess 20 formed in the memberls. The lower end of the spring isengagedl with the innerend 2l of the tension rod 2.2, this inner end` 2|constitutinga. clutch pin. The tension rod extends through the bushing23-in the outer end of the inner e1ementthe bushing' being held in placeby the indentation 2,4. engaging the slot 25 in `the bushing, see Fig;5; y

The tension rod is pivotally securedv at Etf to the bracket 21 which,inthe embodiment illustrated, is; attachedto the bottom o1' lower end ofthe sash, as Shownv in: Fig; 1. It will be understood that thepartsmight` be reversed. The tension. rod: constitutes a. journal for`rotatably supporting` the outer end of4 the inner element 5.

In the embodiment shown iniFig. 6, the tension rod 39F is provided witha bracket extension 28 formedintegrally therewith.

The embodiment shown in Figs. l to 5, however. hasy advantages in thattheparts are permitted to adjust themselvesto varying conditions.Without binding andlesscare is. required in installing both. these.embodiments'.

However, the desired.

tension is applied to the spring before the bracket is secured.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 7, the inner tubular element has asleeve 29 secured within the inner end thereof-in the structureillustrated by means of a lug 3E! struck into the slot 3 l. The lowerend of this sleeve has ratchet teeth 32 with which the ratchet teeth 33of the tension member 34 coact, this tension member being slidablewithin the tubular element and having a rod-like extension 35 on itsupper end slotted to receive an k provide a spring clutch pin, a springclutch pin adjusting tool 36. The inner end of this rod c onstitutes aclutch pin 31 for the inner end of there Y spring. With thisarrangement, the tension .orVA y the spring can be adjusted after thehas been attached. f t

With this arrangement of parts, the balance may be collapsed forshipment and storage, thus greatly reducing the packaging andshippingspace, may be quickly and easily installed in varying sizes ofwindows and adjusted or tensioned to provide the requiredcounterbalancing tension or torsion on the spring. c

In operation, both inner and outer members are subject to the torsionalstress ofthe spring and when the window is closed the members or*elements are extended. When the Window is open the elements aretelescoped, as shown in Fig. 2;

I have illustrated and described certain practical embodiments of myinvention which it is believed will enable those skilled' in the 'art toembody and adapt the same as may be desired.` I have not attempted,however, to illustrate other embodiments or adaptations which Icontemplate.

Having thus described myY invention, what 1I claim as new and desirePatent, is: V r

1. In a sash balance, the combination l'of a pair of telescopinglyassociated inner and outer tubular elements, each having a spiral grooveto secure by Letters extending substantially from end to `end thereof,

engaging member coacting with thegroove of saidy outer element, abushing secured within the' outer end of the inner element, a secondattaching bracket, a tension rod pivotedto said second at` tachingbracket and journaled within said'bushl' ing and projectinginwardlytherefrom 'to pro-'1 vide a spring clutch pin, a 'spring clutch pinsecured within the inner end of saidinn'er element,

and a coiled spring arranged 'within said -inner element with its endsin clutching engagement' with said clutch pins, said groove engaging.members being urged into said re'cesses'byV said'spring andconstituting detents coacting' therewith.

2. In a sash balance, the combination of vav pair of telescopinglyassociated inner and'outer tub'ular elements, each having a spiralgroove'extending substantially from end to` end thereof, the' outer endof the groove of the'outer tubular element and the inner end of thegroove of the inner element both terminating'inlateral recessesprovidedwith stops at their outerfends, said 'outer' element being providedwithV an inwardlyproject-- ing groove-engaging vmember at its innerendco' j' bracket 2l v'secured within the inner end of said inner ele--ment, and a coiled spring arranged within said inner element vwith itsends in clutching engage- -'icnentvvith saidk clutch pins, saidgroove-engaging members being urged into said recesses by said springand constituting detents coacting there- With.

3. In a sash balance, the combination of a pair of telescopinglyassociated inner and outer tubular elements, each having a spiral grooveextending substantially from end to end thereof, said outer elementbeing provided with an inwardly projecting groove-engaging member at itsinner end coacting with the groove of said inner ele ment, a torsionmember constituting an attach.y ing bracket provided with a sleeveslidably receivm ing said outer element and provided with a.

4groove-engaging member coacting with the groove of said outer element,a bushing secured within the outer end of the inner element, a secondattaching bracket, a tension rod pivoted to said second attachingbracket and journaled within said bushing and projecting inwardlytherefrom to provide a spring clutch pin, a spring clutch pin securedwithin the inner end of said inner element, and a coiled spring arrangedWithin said inner element with its ends in clutching engagement withsaid clutch pins.

4. In a sash balance, the combination of'a pair of telescopinglyassociated inner and outer tubular elements, each having a spiral grooveextend ing substantially from end to end thereof, said outer elementbeing provided with an inwardly projecting groove-engaging member at itsinner end coacting with the groove of said inner element, a torsionmember constituting an attaching bracket provided with a sleeve slidablyreceiv ing said outer element and provided with a groove-engaging membercoacting with the groove of said outer element, a bushing secured withinthe outer end of the inner element, a tension rod provided with anattaching bracket and journaled within said bushing and projectinginwardly therefrom to provide a spring clutch pin, a spring clutch pinsecured within the inner end of said inner element, and a coiled springarranged within said inner element with its ends in clutching engagementwith said clutch pins.

5. In a sash balance, the combination of ra pair of telescopinglyassociated inner and outer tubular elements, each having a spiral grooveextending substantially from end to end thereof, the outer end of thegroove of the outer tubular ele ment and the inner end of the groove ofthe inner elementboth terminating in lateral recesses provided withstops at their outer ends, said outer element being provided with aninwardly projecting groove-engaging member at its inner end coactingwith the groove'of said inner e1ement and with said recess at the innerend there of, a torsion member provided with a sleeve slidably receivingsaid outer element and provided with a groove-engaging member coactingwith the groovev of said outer element, an attaching bracket, a tensionrod carried by said attaching bracket and constituting a journal forsaid inner element, and a coiled spring arranged within said innerelement with one end connected to said tension rod and the otherconnected to the inner end of said inner element, said groove-engagingmembers being urged into said recesses by said spring and constitutingdetents coacting therewith.

6. In a sash balance, the combination of a pair of telescopinglyassociated inner and outer tubular elements, each having a spiral grooveextending substantially from end to end thereof, said outer elementbeing provided with an inwardly projecting groove-engaging member at itsinner end coacting with the groove of said inner element, a torsionmember provided with a sleeve slidably receiving said outer element andprovided with a groove-engaging member coacting With the groove of saidouter element, an attaching bracket, a tension rod carried by saidattaching bracket and constituting a journal for said inner element, anda coiled spring arranged within said inner element with one endconnected to said tension rod and the other connected to the inner endof said inner element.

7. In a sash balance, the combination of a pair of telescopinglyassociated inner and outer tubular elements, each having a spiral grooveextending substantially from end to end thereof, the outer end of thegroove of the outer tubular element and the inner end of the groove ofthe inner element both terminating in lateral recesses, said outerelement being provided with an inwardly projecting groove-engagingmember at its inner end coacting with the groove of said inner elementand with said recess at the inner end thereof, a torsion memberconstituting an attaching bracket and with which said outer element isslidably associated and provided with a grooveengaging member coactingwith the groove of said outer element, an attaching bracket forrotatably supporting said inner element, a coiled spring arranged withinsaid inner element for applying torsional stress thereto, said grooveengaging members being urged into said recesses by said spring andconstituting detents coacting therewith, and means for adjusting thetension of said spring.

8. In a sash balance, the combination of a pair of telescopinglyassociated inner and outer tubular elements, each having a spiral grooveextending substantially from end to end thereof, said outer elementbeing provided with an inwardly projecting' groove-engaging member atits inner end coacting with the groove of said inner element, a torsionmember constituting an attaching bracket and with which said outerelement is slidably associated and provided with a grooveengaging membercoacting with the groove of said outer element, an attaching bracket forrotatably supporting said inner element, and a coiled spring arrangedwithin said inner element for applying torsional stress thereto.

9. In a sash balance, the combination of a pair of telescopinglyassociated inner and outer tubular elements, each having a spiral grooveextending substantially from end to end thereof, the outer end of thegroove of the outer tubular element and the inner end of the groove ofthe inner element being provided with stops, said outer element beingprovided with an inwardly projecting groove-engaging member at its innerend coacting with the groove of said inner element, a relatively xedtorsion member with which said outer element is slidably associated andprovided with a groove-engaging-member coacting with the groove of saidouter element, means for rotatablyksupporting said inner element, and acoiled spring arranged within said inner element for applying torsionalstress thereto, said groove-engaging members being urged into saidrecesses by said spring and constituting detents coacting therewith.

l0. In a sash balance, the combination of a pair of telescopinglyassociated inner and outer tubular elements, each having a spiral grooveextending substantially from end to end thereof, said outer elementbeing provided with an inwardly projecting groove-engaging member at itsinner end coacting with the groove of said inner element, a relativelyxed torsion member with Which said outer element is slidably associatedand provided with a groove-engaging member coacting with the groove ofsaid outer element, means for rotatably supporting said inner element,and a coiled spring arranged within said inner element for applyingtorsional stress thereto.

l1. In a, sash balance, the combination of a pair of telescopinglyassociated inner and outer tubular elements, each having a spiral grooveextending substantially from end to end thereof, said outer elementbeing provided with an inwardly projecting groove-engaging member at itsinner end coacting with the groove of said inner element, a relativelyfixed torsion member with which said outer element is slidablyassociated and provided with a groove-engaging member coacting with thegroove of said outer element, means for rotatably supporting said innerelement, a coiledspring arranged within said inner element for applyingtorsional stress thereto, and means for adjusting the tension of saidspring.

AUGUST VIEHWEGER.

